NBA Free Agents 2011: Boston Celtics Need To Target These 9 Big Men

The Boston Celtics will have to scour the 2011 NBA free-agent class in order to address a gaping hole at the big-man position.

With the team's championship window closing sooner rather than later, the team can't afford to rely on a brittle Jermaine O'Neal as its starting center moving forward.

The team was repeatedly burned for its lack of depth along the front line last season, and they simply can't afford to have that happen again.

Given the club's salary cap restrictions, the Celtics will likely look to bridge the gap with veterans still capable of producing in a limited role.

Let's take a look at a handful of candidates that could serve to strengthen the attack.

9. Juwan Howard

Howard likely would have retired last season had the Miami Heat been able to pull it out in the Finals, but after losing, the veteran said that he had no intention of hanging 'em up.

He has proven surprisingly capable of contributing when called upon and, even in the twilight of his career, can be serviceable in the second unit, as the team looks to move opposing big men away from the basket.

He'd undoubtedly come at the veteran's minimum, and Howard would be an excellent mentor to first-round draft choice JaJuan Johnson.

8. Reggie Evans

Evans had a tough go of it in Toronto last season due to a broken foot that cost him the majority of the season, but he was very productive when he was out on the court.

While his game is not predicated on offensive contributions whatsoever, Evans is a banger down low who isn't afraid to do the little things and the dirty work necessary underneath the rim.

Averaging a career-best 11.5 rebounds per game in 2010-11, Evans presents the type of ferocity that the second unit was severely lacking throughout the season.

7. Kenyon Martin

While Martin isn't exactly going to draw the same type of contract that he received last time he was a free agent (seven years, approximately $90 million), he should draw some legitimate interest on the open market.

Injuries have plagued K-Mart throughout his career, and last season was no exception, as he appeared in just 48 regular-season contests.

However, he does bring to the table the ability to both score and rebound at a fairly solid clip, and he should be able to shine prominently in the second unit if willing to take a slight pay cut in an effort to win a championship.

6. Josh McRoberts

McRoberts showed brief flashes of solid potential with the Indiana Pacers last season, but his upside was largely limited by splitting minutes with Tyler Hansbrough at the power forward position.

While he may be seeking a team that can hand him a starting job, most might not be ready to bank on his potential after he hasn't shown much in that role previously.

The former Blue Devil could reinvent himself as a valuable contributor in the second unit on the Celtics bench, as his services would likely be needed more so on the Celtics than a typical reserve on any other team.

5. Glen Davis

Davis is an intriguing name for the Celtics because, while he's proven to be somewhat of a fan favorite since arriving, his value to the team has steadily declined.

With the drafting of JaJuan Johnson, most took that to signify the end of Big Baby's tenure in Beantown, but that's not necessarily the case.

The enigmatic LSU product would be welcomed back at the right price. Head coach Doc Rivers, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg, said, "If we can get him for the right price. I think it would be nice. But we can’t overpay."

There's no doubt that some interested team will likely overpay for him, which further decreases the chances that he'll wind up back with the club.

4. Kurt Thomas

Thomas is someone that I thought the Celtics should have pursued last offseason, and he remains a quality candidate in 2011 despite being the league's oldest player at age 38.

The veteran actually made an impressive 37 starts for the Chicago Bulls last season and averaged a very respectable 5.2 PPG, 7.4 rebounds and 1.0 block in approximately 28 minutes per contest.

He's not going to do anything extraordinarily sexy for the team, but he will provide a solid contribution where the Celtics most desperately need it. He's also proven that he can more than adequately back up either the power forward or center position.

3. Joel Przybilla

Przybilla spent several seasons on Portland's bench as a backup center, but he was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats at last season's deadline.

A big man that has had some injury issues of his own, Przybilla has legitimate size at 7'1" and 260 lbs., and that's exactly the type of dynamic that the Celtics are missing in the middle.

As a defensively oriented center who knows how to stay within his own role, Przybilla would complement the Celtics roster beautifully and could potentially finally provide a stabilizing source of defense that the club has lacked since dealing Kendrick Perkins.

2. Chuck Hayes

After spending the majority of his career as a backup to Yao Ming, Hayes broke out for the Houston Rockets in a starting role during the 2010-11 season.

Although he's just 6'6" and 238 lbs., Hayes proved capable of holding his own down low, averaging 8.7 rebounds in 63 games as a starter last season.

Impressively, Hayes' output on the glass got stronger as the season continued, as did his overall performance. If he wants to take slightly less money than he'd likely receive elsewhere for a chance to compete for a title, Boston should have him at the forefront of its "to call" list when the lockout lifts.

1. Carl Landry

A player that has been vastly underrated for the majority of his career, Landry will undoubtedly have serious appeal to the Celtics as they craft their plans through free agency.

Landry has shown a sense of toughness unlike any other candidate on this list, and his ability to contribute at both ends of the court is something that will likely appeal to the Celtics in a big way.

After making just $3 million last season, it will be interesting to see what he's able to command in free agency this season.

At just 28 years old, he'll likely be a coveted target, and one that Boston should think heavily about investing in if it's serious about revamping the lineup.